India bundled out Bangladesh for 150 in the first innings of Indore Test with Shami, Ishant and Umesh taking 7 wickets between them.
Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday (November 14) heaped praise on India’s current pace attack, saying it is “one of the most lethal” in world cricket since it has the ability to create openings in every spell.
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Despite the absence of a certain Jasprit Bumrah, Indian pace attack has done a commendable job in the ongoing home season. While Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav tormented South African batting line-up to script 3-0 Test series win for India last month, the trio wreaked havoc on Bangladeshi batsmen on the opening day of the first Test in Indore.
“I think Shami, Ishant and Umesh have been bowling well as a pack and if you add Bumrah to it over the last few months or a year in Test cricket, I think it’s one of the most lethal pace attacks going around in the world if not the best,” Ashwin told reporters at the end of play on Day 1.
“And I am saying that as a disclaimer, I don’t want people judging me on that comment. But it’s right up there and one of the best bowling attacks I have seen in recent times. Sometimes you feel that every spell they bowl, something is happening or they make it happen,” the off-spinner added.
Shami (3/27), Ishant (2/20) and Umesh (2/47) took seven wickets between them while Ashwin claimed two scalps as India bundled out the visitors for a paltry 150.
When asked if he and Ravindra Jadeja will be changing their approach as the pacers are running through batting line-ups at home, Ashwin said: “As a bowler, I personally never looked at it that way. It’s my job to pick up a wicket and try and capitalise if the pacers don’t pick a wicket then get a breakthrough.”
“Having said that, I am taking nothing away from the fast bowlers. They have been exceptional, especially if you look at Umesh over the last few years sine 2016 when the home season happened. He has always given us an early breakthrough. Ishant has been splendid and Shami has probably in his best rhythm in his entire career,” he further remarked.
Commenting to the match, Ashwin said he found Bangladesh’s decision to bat first on this Indore pitch a brave one.
“We didn’t expect that. We thought they’ll bowl but they batted first which is very commendable on their part,” he said.
Asked if the Bangladeshi batters were scared, Ashwin said: “You are putting me in the spot and asking me questions that I shouldn’t be answering. Look I don’t think any international team is scared to come out and play a game. If your talking about No 10 and 11 moving away from the stumps all that happened with a lot of number 10s and 11s.”
Ashwin also wanted people to understand that it would be unfair to compare India and Bangladesh considering the home team’s overall experience in the longest format.
“You need to understand that a lot of players on the other side are inexperienced. I don’t know what the exact numbers are. I would say good cricket was played rather than being harsh on Bangladesh. It’s important to talk about the positives of Indian bowlers,” he concluded.
(With PTI inputs)